Alexander Vance stood tall in his black wool coat.

He entered the restaurant with purposeful strides.

His sharp gaze swept across the room.

Evelyn Ross waved at him.

His stern expression softened instantly.

His eyes shifted to the person sitting opposite her.

His phone rang abruptly.

A shrill female voice came through the receiver. "Alexander, I need to see you!"

He frowned slightly. "I'm with my wife."

"You promised to marry me! Why aren't you here?"

Sophia Watson's sobbing grated on his nerves.

He was nine when he was trafficked to a mountain village.

Among the crying children, a four-year-old girl stood out.

She blinked her big eyes and asked, "They give us food. Why is everyone crying?"

The traffickers gradually allowed her to do chores outside.

She and Alexander became friends.

He asked for her name.

She said her mother hadn't given her one yet.

He was shocked a four-year-old had no name.

Eventually, the children were sold off one by one.

He decided to save himself.

He told the girl to drug the traffickers.

She hesitated. "They give me steamed buns. I don't want to go home."

He said, "I want to go home."

She fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

She successfully drugged them and unlocked the cell.

The children scattered and ran.

But she sat motionless by the door.

"Why aren't you leaving?"

"I don't want to go home."

Alexander grabbed her hand. "Come home with me."

Her eyes lit up. "Okay."

When the police found them, she clung tightly to his hand.

"You lied! You said you'd take me with you!"

The police were amused. "You both need to return to your own families."

She cried hysterically. "How can I become part of your family?"

Alexander made a serious promise. "I'll come marry you when you're twenty."

"Pinky swear! Liars are dogs!"

Later, his grandmother sent him abroad.

When he sent people to find Little Dumpling, they only found Sophia Watson.

Her background was tragic. Her parents were scum.

It was true she had no name before age four.

She screamed, "You ruined my life!"

At eighteen, she was covered in wounds and had severe depression.

Alexander brought her abroad for treatment.

She constantly pressured him to honor the marriage pact.

He didn't know if his childhood promise still held weight.

A medic's panicked voice came through the phone. "Mr. Vance! Ms. Watson is self-harming!"

Alexander gripped his phone. "I'm on my way."

He owed her too much.

He got in the car and texted Evelyn. [Something came up.]

Evelyn read the WhatsApp message.

She replied calmly. [Next time.]

She smiled at Mr. Valentine. "My husband can't make it."

"Standing you up? What a jerk."

Mr. Valentine's tone was disapproving.

The waiter began serving food.

Mr. Valentine suddenly asked, "I never got your name."